Preston working mums are being able to balance work and homelife better than anyone in the north, according to new statistics.
Low childcare costs, coupled with cheaper rent-to-home ratios and higher-than-average wages are allowing the city’s mums to have breathing room when it comes to returning to the workplace for part-time or shorter working weeks.
The city came second to Stafford where England’s working mums can budget better and allow for a more coherent work-life balance.
Data from family blogging site coworkingcafe.com shows more mums than ever are back in the workplace after having children, with 80% now in paid employment and Preston performing as a “cost-comfort” hotspot for places offering some of the lowest childcare costs in the country.
More than 80 town and cities were analysed as part of the survey which measured aspects including school access, health care, air quality, housing affordability and income.
There is also good news for Lancaster which came out on top for the best city, making life easier for working mums.
It comes top on the schooling front with more schools than any other city per 10,000 children, has the fourth highest women employed with 77% working, some of the cleanest air in England and lower-than-average childcare costs.
Lancaster beat cities such as Exeter and Winchester to the top spot and was the only place ranked in the top three from the north, while Preston’s success in the cost-comfort charts means mums from the city are amongst the best at making their household budget on track.
Babs Murphy, chief executive of the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Finding a work-life balance is important for working parents so it is encouraging to see Preston mums can find time for work and family life.
“The city has always been hard-working and its diverse economy means there are always enough part-time and temporary work available for those who require it. This suits the mums who want to earn and also want that family time so it is good to see both Preston and Lancaster at the top of these charts.”
